Xavier Su'a-Filo | Guard | #71

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Texans LG Xavier Su'a-Filo is the "front-runner" for the starting job.

Su'a-Filo started the final nine games including the playoffs at left guard last season. He struggled in pass protection over that stretch, but coach Bill O'Brien said he "has definitely improved" over the offseason. Su'a-Filo's strongest competition will likely come from free-agent addition Tony Bergstrom. Mon, Jul 18, 2016 08:33:00 AM

"He’s in better shape. He understands our system better," O'Brien said. "The key for linemen on both sides of the ball is when the pads go on ... but to this point, in the unpadded practices, he has made a lot of improvement." Su'a-Filo started the final nine games including the playoffs at left guard last season. He will have to beat out Tony Bergstrom for the job this year. Fri, Jun 24, 2016 09:43:00 AM

There is a "strong chance" Xavier Su'a-Filo opens the season as the Texans' starting left guard.

With Ben Jones replacing Chris Myers at center, the left guard job is Su'a-Filo's to lose. A second-round pick out of UCLA, Su'a-Filo played 130 underwhelming snaps as a rookie including a start at right guard against Indianapolis, but the Texans are hoping he can make a big jump in his sophomore campaign. If he can, the Texans' offensive line should remain an elite run-blocking unit. Sat, May 30, 2015 01:22:00 PM

Xavier Su'a-Filo is the leading candidate for the Texans' left guard job.

Su'a-Filo appeared in 13 games as a rookie, making his only start at right guard. He's expected to take over for Ben Jones on the left side, with Jones replacing Chris Myers at center. Houston should remain an elite run-blocking team in 2015. Sat, Mar 28, 2015 06:17:00 PM

Depth Charts

Deshaun Watson resumed running on Monday as part of his rehab from last November's torn ACL.

The Texans say Watson is ahead of schedule, and NFL Network reported Watson is expected to be on the field at OTAs, further indicating a so-far-fast recovery. Watson tore his right ACL on November 2 after tearing his left ACL in 2014 at Clemson. Watson was sensational as a rookie, outscoring all fantasy quarterbacks by a whopping six points per game in his Weeks 2-8 run as a starter.

Foreman has been setback-free three months into his rehab. He's questionable for training camp, but the Texans are optimistic he'll be ready for the start of the season. Foreman was outplaying Lamar Miller before missing the final six games. A healthy preseason could allow Foreman to open 2018 in a starting role.

Texans RB Tyler Ervin tore his patellar tendon Week 4 and is done for the season.

He is undergoing surgery on Monday. It is a devastating injury, but we have seen players return to full health following patellar tendon tears in recent years. Still, Ervin will be up against it to be ready for 2018 training camp.

Per the Houston Chronicle, Martin is expected to "make a healthy return for next season." Martin missed all of 2016 with ankle issues. Battling Greg Mancz in training camp, Martin easily won the starting job, and started the first 14 games of the season. The second-year second rounder was not particularly effective, however. He should again face competition in 2018.

Newton was scheduled to earn $4.75 million each of the next three seasons, but those base salaries have been cut to $1.75 million this year, $2.25 million in 2018, and $2 million in 2019. His salary this year is guaranteed. Coach Bill O'Brien has said he expects Newton to eventually return from rupturing both patellar tendons, but this move suggests the Texans are rightfully skeptical.